threat to end trade with Spain by restating his opposition to war and what he called the "breakdown of international law". In a 10-minute televised address, Sánchez reflected on the wars in Ukraine and Gaza as well as the Iraq War more than 20 years ago and said the Spanish government's position could be summed up as "no to war". Trump threatened to impose a full trade embargo on Spain in response to Madrid's refusal to allow the US to use the jointly-run bases at Morón and Rotafor for strikes on Iran. "Spain has been terrible," Trump said during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday.

"We're going to cut off all trade with Spain. We don't want anything to do with Spain," he added. Merz said later he had told Trump very clearly that he could not conclude a separate trade agreement with Germany or all of Europe but not with Spain. In response to the US economic threat, the Élysée Palace said French President Emmanuel Macron had conveyed his "solidarity" with Spain, during a phone conversation with Sánchez on Wednesday. European Council President António Costa also said he had spoken to the Spanish leader "to express the EU's full solidarity". Trump accused Spain on Tuesday of being a "terrible partner" in Nato for failing to increase its defence budget in line with a target of 5% of economic output (GDP). Earlier this year Sánchez drew Trump's anger by speaking out against the US military incursion into Venezuela. (BBC)